Surgical stapling apparatus

• US 20080041916A1
• Filed: 10/15/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Lehn, Randolph, Orban, Joseph, Milliman, Keith, Viola, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0806 Instrument detectors with a removable part, e.g. working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus

Abstract

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle, the movable handle being movable through at least one actuation stroke;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated body having a distal end adapted to releasably engage both articulating and non-articulating loading unit types;

an actuation shaft mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the movable handle; and

an articulation mechanism mounted adjacent the handle assembly and an articulation link, the articulation link having a distal end positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated body.

2. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing mechanism positioned within the elongated body and operatively associated with the articulation mechanism, the sensing mechanism including a sensing member for sensing the type of disposable loading unit engaged with the elongated body.

3. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sensing mechanism has a first position and wherein, in the first position, the sensing mechanism is operatively engaged with the articulating mechanism to prevent movement of the articulation lever.

4. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the loading unit types include loading units having at least one staple row of a predetermined length.

5. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined length is selected from a group consisting of about 30 millimeters, about 45 millimeters, and about 60 millimeters.

6. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a) a handle assembly including a movable handle supported by the handle assembly, the movable handle being movable through at least one actuation stroke;

b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly being disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body; and

c) an advancement assembly including an actuation shaft, a driving pawl and a locking pawl, the actuation shaft having teeth and being supported at least in part within the handle assembly, the driving pawl being operatively associated with the movable handle and movable into engagement with the actuation shaft to effect longitudinal advancement of the actuation shaft during the actuation stroke, the locking pawl being biased into engagement with the rack to retain the actuation shaft in a longitudinally fixed position.

7. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the movable handle has a clamping stroke.

8. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an anti-reverse mechanism that engages the locking pawl to urge the locking pawl out of engagement with the actuation shaft during the clamping stroke.

9. A surgical stapling apparatus according to 6, wherein the anti-reverse mechanism includes a gear.

10. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the gear engages the actuation shaft.

11. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 6, further including a locking member for engaging the actuation shaft and retaining the actuation shaft in the longitudinally fixed position.

12. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 6, further including retraction knobs attached to the actuation shaft.

13. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 6, further including a button movable into engagement with the locking pawl, for urging the locking pawl out of engagement with the actuation shaft.

14. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle, the movable handle being movable through at least one actuation stroke;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly being disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body, and a rotation knob being disposed at a proximal end of the elongated body;

an actuation shaft mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the movable handle; and

an articulation mechanism mounted on the rotation knob to move an articulation link longitudinally.

15. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 14, the articulation link having a proximal end operatively connected to an articulation lever.

16. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 15, the articulation link having a distal end positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated body.

17. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein rotation of the rotation knob rotates the articulation mechanism and the articulation link.

18. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle, the movable handle being movable through at least one actuation stroke;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated body having a distal end adapted to releasably engage a loading unit, the loading unit having a housing portion and a first articulation link;

an actuation shaft mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the movable handle; and

an articulation mechanism including a second articulation link, the second articulation link having a distal end positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated body for engagement by the first articulation link upon engaging the loading unit with the elongated body.

19. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the loading unit includes nubs.

20. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the elongated body defines a channel for receiving the nubs.

21. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first and second articulation links are arranged to engage upon rotation of the loading unit.

22. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly including a movable handle, the movable handle being movable through at least one actuation stroke;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, a tool assembly mounted for articulation adjacent a distal end of the elongated body;

a longitudinally movable drive beam to effect the ejection of surgical staples from the tool assembly, the drive beam having a plurality of sheets; and

an actuation shaft mounted for longitudinal movement in response to manipulation of the movable handle, the actuation shaft being arranged to move the drive beam longitudinally.

23. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising an articulation mechanism mounted adjacent the handle assembly

24. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the articulation mechanism has an articulation link extending through the elongated body.

25. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the tool assembly includes an anvil member having a longitudinal slot to facilitate passage of the drive beam.

26. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the anvil member has a camming surface positioned to be engaged by the drive beam to facilitate clamping of tissue.

27. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the tool assembly includes a staple cartridge having a longitudinal slot for facilitating passage of the drive beam.

28. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a mounting assembly for mounting the tool assembly for articulation.

29. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the mounting assembly has a pivot member.

30. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the drive beam includes a proximal engagement section having engagement fingers.

31. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the drive beam has a distal end defining a support strut.

32. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the strut supports a knife blade.

33. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the strut includes a flange that projects distally.

34. A surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the flange supports a cam roller.